Speaker Program

Claire Barnett

Studio Owner / Mosaic ArtistSeattle Mosaic Arts

“Mosaics as Medicine”

Scribe: Kaj PedersenIntroduced by: Laura Adams Cosacchi

About the Speaker

Instructor, mosaic artist and family physician Dr. Claire Barnett has been studying, creating and teaching mosaics for over 15 years. Claire began creating mosaics after the tragic death of her two young daughters in 2000. As her own backyard filled with memorial garden stones, Claire began expanding her studies, both in mosaic and in medicine, to incorporate the therapeutic nature of mosaics into her medical practice. In 2009 Claire opened Seattle Mosaic Arts. This community based studio features workshops from international artists, mosaic technique classes, lectures, art shows, group events, commissions, and space and support for people to create their own mosaic projects. Claire specializes in therapeutic mosaics with a focus on grief and trauma.

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President Kaj kicked off our meeting by acknowledging Ruben Ladlad’s successful graduation from the Rotary Academy. This is a unique training program that is offered within District 5030 to help develop Rotarian’s understanding of the labyrinthine Rotary organization. It is an excellent program that helps develop our leadership talent within Rotary, and it is not an easy endeavor to take on, which makes Ruben’s achievement a worthy one.

Up next was Kit Bowerman with our invocation and pledge to the flag this morning. He was followed up Jonathan Heras who introduced our guests and had some fun with questions, so we could get to learn a little more about them.

After the formalities were completed, President Kaj walked to Carmela who was dressed as one of Santa’s helpers this morning, clearly ahead of schedule! However, it turns out it was a ruse to remind some of the late registrants that they needed to sign up for the Highland Fling (30th June). We were oversubscribed with 76 people attending, and if others wanted to join, then we need to make sure we had them registered in time to secure their meals. So, make haste in getting registered to what is going to a wonderful fellowship event.

Mitch Freedman talking to our members about the Scholarship Program

Mitch Freedman took the podium next to talk to us about the Scholarship awards and the program itself. It is one of the most impactful programs the club runs. We donate $20,000 to support students in their studies through grants. This includes supporting ongoing students and providing new grants to the students. They are all from Sammamish High School. Many of these students find our grants indispensable in supporting them financially through their pursuit of a college education. It is also an opportunity where the BBRC can impact its local community by allowing those without access to support succeed in their dreams.

Mitch also took the opportunity to award President Kaj with a thank you gift from the club for his service as President this past Rotary year. Truly unexpected and very much appreciated by the outgoing President.

Jonathan Heras, our club Treasurer, was invited up by President Kaj to provide an

Jonathan Heras providing our members with the Treasurer’s update

overview of the club’s finances across our three accounts (Club, Foundation and Endowment). It should also be noted that Jonathan has worked diligently during his term as Treasurer to organize our finances, so we now have transparency and a single source of truth in support of the BBRC’s activities. This was not an easy task, and with help from the modernization efforts around our digital processes (led by Ann Norman), Jonathan was able to accomplish this objective. Furthermore, he has left our finances in a strong position, where we have surpluses of over $5,000 in both the Club and Foundation accounts and 10% growth in our Endowment fund ($445K) to help support the club’s ambitions for the next Rotary year. Congratulations to Jonathan and his team.

New Members Sam Peterson and Kevin Polzin inducted to the BBRC

Next up was the induction of two new members to the club – Sam Peterson and Kevin Polzin. This will take our total new members for the Rotary year to 13 (a 15% growth rate and we will net out at 7 new members). Sam and Kevin were co-sponsored by Martin Clavijo and Steve Roberts respectively. President Kaj Pedersen inducted the two gentleman, noting that they are both interested in promoting engagement in our community through service, whether that is through civic responsibility or by setting an example to their children, it is clear their involvement is something that we will benefit from within the BBRC. It is also good to see that we have two new skiers joining the club!

Alex Chehab joined our meeting this morning; journeying up from Portland, where she has now relocated. We wanted to recognize Alex for her dedication and service to the New Generations committee, where she has represented them on our board for the last two years. She has done much to promote the benefit of younger members within Rotary and in the club, which has been tremendous. As a result, the club wanted to recognize her contributions by making her a Paul Harris Fellow, which Jeff Cashman formerly awarded to her at the meeting today – congratulations Alex and we wish you continued success in your journey.

the studio owner of Seattle Mosaic Arts. Claire’s life has had some very tragic and hard challenges. Claire through her medical background and with the support of her artistic mother, found a path to healing from traumatic events using tasks like building mosaics – the activity is able to focus the brain, so it can move beyond the pain to one of healing and

Seattle Mosaics work for Hellam Varon

acceptance for those who are struggling to move beyond personal grief, PTSD or other disorders. It was a deeply moving and personal talk this morning and our members appreciated Claire’s willingness to share it with us this morning.

President Kaj wound up the meeting by thanking his board for their support over this Rotary year and thanking the club for the privilege of serving them in the capacity of President. At this point, Steven Goldfarb took the opportunity to thank President Kaj and this was shared by the audience. President Kaj finished the meeting with a quote from Branch Rickey, a baseball player and sports executive: “It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.”

Club Announcements

New Members - Sam Peterson and Kevin Polzin - Welcome!

By Kaj Pedersen

New Members Sam Peterson and Kevin Polzin inducted to the BBRC

We inducted two new members into the club – Sam Peterson and Kevin Polzin. This will take our total new members for the Rotary year to 13 (a 15% growth rate and we will net out at 7 new members). Sam and Kevin were co-sponsored by Martin Clavijo and Steve Roberts respectively. President Kaj Pedersen inducted the two gentleman, noting that they are both interested in promoting engagement in our community through service, whether that is through civic responsibility or by setting an example to their children, it is clear their involvement is something that we will benefit from within the BBRC. It is also good to see that we have two new skiers joining the club!

Many Hands Make For Light Work - Tavon Work Party

By Adam Mihlstin

BBRC Crew Supporting Tavon Center

Great fellowship, great weather and a little backbreaking work made a small dent in the daily upkeep of Tavon Learning Center’s beautiful 6 acre campus on the Issaquah Plateau. Tavon Learning Center is a recent grant recipient that received funds for the upkeep of their greenhouse operation.

Tavon provides active learning and community programs that empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to acquire home and community skills for living better. For people with disabilities, having an equal opportunity to participate in post-high school learning and make community connections can change everything!

Howard Johnson getting his hands dirty at Tavon Center

Tavon’s Garden Market Stand is back for Summer! Tavon provides fresh produce and herbs picked straight from their gardens, local honey, homemade baked treats, and blossoming flower arrangements, all in one stop.

You can find Tavon at Gilman Village, outside of Mudhouse Pottery, every Thursday from 11:30 – 3:30 PM until mid-September. All proceeds go directly to our programs and benefit our members.

Andrew Face Returns to the BBRC

By Kaj Pedersen

Andrew Face updating us on his return to the BBRC

We are thrilled to announce that after a long hiatus, Andrew Face has reenlisted as a new member with the BBRC. He will be jumping straight back in with the band, and promises to continue his habit of shouting out from the ranks to help liven up our program. We also took the opportunity to award Andrew with his Paul Harris Fellowship award that we did not have an opportunity to provide to him before he left the club. Welcome back Andrew! Enjoy your journey as you move from red badge to blue badge.

Rotarian of the Month for June - Chuck Kimbrough

By Kaj Pedersen

Chuck Kimbrough is our June ROTM

Our Rotarian of the Month will be Chuck Kimbrough. Chuck has long been involved with the Adoption Party, since its introduction during Margie Burnett’s Presidency. He has continued to champion this amazing event that brings kids waiting for adoption together in a safe environment, where the potential for meeting their forever families may happen. We have had tremendous success with this program at the BBRC and Chuck has been actively campaigning beyond our District to spread the program to other clubs within Rotary. For his continued passion and involvement in championing this cause, we honor him with ROTM for June.

OLD SCHOOL PARTY LIST

By Carmela Ramaglia

If you are having trouble registering for our Annual Rotating the Wheels party, please click the blue button to send Carmela an email with how many tickets you’d like. Then you can pay Kim at the front desk at a meeting. Be sure to register TODAY – the Early Bird Sale Price of $35 ticket ends June 15th. After that, party tickets are $50 each. (If you CAN login to the website, that is the preferred way to register.)

Here are all the details:

Who: You (and Guest)

What: Rotating the Wheels Party

Why: Why Not?!?! Really…to Celebrate the turning of the Rotary Leadership Year

Where: Newport Shores Yacht Club, 81 Skagit Key Bellevue, WA 98006

When: Saturday, June 30th 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm

How Much: Tickets are $50 – BUT WAIT!!! If you register TODAY you can get them at an EARLY BIRD rate of $35. The Early Bird Sale Price ends June 15th!!

Got Spuds!

By Adam Mihlstin

We had a great turnout at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank for this weekend’s work party. Several BBRC’ers did “spud scrub” (sorting potatoes) and office work.

The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank provides support to hundreds of families each week. Each month the IFCB secures, processes and delivers over 75,000/lbs. of food. During the holiday season (Thanksgiving – New Years) they handle close to 175,000/lbs. of food. IFCB also provides case management, holiday gift programs, school supplies, toiletries and more to local families in need of a helping hand. Each week IFCB assembles 280 “superpacks” – these include school lunches for grade school students.

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Welcome to the BBRC

Chartered in 1985, the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club is home to more than 100 community-minded individuals dedicated to serving above self and participating in Rotary International's mission to promote understanding, goodwill, and world peace

Our Mission

To help disadvantaged children and their family lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

Our Vision

To cultivate a dynamic membership that enhances our club values to serve our local and world communities, providing systemic and enduring change.